City of Kingston

Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013 – 2017

1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

PO Box 1000, Mentone, VIC 3194

1300 653 356

03 9581 4500

info@kingston.vic.gov.au

kingston.vic.gov.au

The implementation of some of the actions in this Plan is supported by financial assistance from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

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It is with great pleasure that I present the City of Kingston Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017.

The Plan acknowledges Council’s responsibilities to residents in developing and promoting healthy, strong and connected communities. The Plan embraces a whole-of- government and whole-of-community approach to plan for a healthier community and address identified public health issues.

While Kingston is a relatively healthy and advantaged community, the plan acknowledges that there are areas of disadvantage and particular population groups which are more at risk of poorer health outcomes relating to physical activity, mental health, food security and healthy eating within Kingston.

This plan articulates Council’s commitment to ensuring that Kingston is a place where people can be healthy; physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. It outlines the principles which underpin the vision of a healthy and active community and the specific objectives which will guide Council towards the achievement of that commitment.

I look forward to the implementation of the plan over the next four years, and encourage everyone in the community to work together, and with Council, to achieve positive health outcomes for the Kingston community.

Cr Ron Brownlees OAM

KINGSTON MAYOR

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Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 41. INTRODUCTION 62. PLANNING AND POLICY CONTEXT 7

THE ENVIRONMENTS FOR HEALTH FRAMEWORK 7INTEGRATED PLANNING APPROACH 8POLICY CONTEXT 8

3. EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION 11SOCIAL MODEL OF HEALTH 11APPROACHES TO PROMOTING HEALTH 11

4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN 12RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 12PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION 12

5. ACTION PLAN 2013-2014 13APPENDIX 1: HEALTH AND WELLBEING DATA PROFILE 20HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING? 26

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Executive Summary

Kingston’s Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 (PHWP) sets out the strategic direction of Council to work towards a healthier community.

The plan draws together information about the health and wellbeing concerns of the community and the actual evidence of health and wellbeing issues affecting Kingston. This information has been used to identify priority areas, goals and objectives to improve the health and wellbeing of Kingston residents.

From these priority areas, goals and objectives, an action plan has been developed and will be reviewed each year of the life of the PHWP.

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPSTo work in partnership with community organisations and build capacity to undertake health promotion initiatives.

PRIORITY: 1 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND A HEALTHY URBAN ENVIRONMENTGOAL: To increase levels of physical activity in Kingston.OBJECTIVES:

1.1 To promote opportunities for people to be active in Kingston.

1.2 To enhance the built environment and enable people to be physically active.

PRIORITY: 2 SOCIALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIESGOAL: To increase the number of people in Kingston who feel mentally well and connected to the community.OBJECTIVES:

2.1 To promote mental wellbeing and participation in community life.

2.2 To improve the health literacy of the community to support people to improve their health.

PRIORITY: 3 ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG HARMGOAL: To reduce the negative impacts of alcohol, tobacco and other drug harm on the community.OBJECTIVES:

3.1 To contribute to the reduction in the prevalence of smoking in Kingston.

3.2 To contribute to the reduction of the harms caused by alcohol and drug misuse in the community.

PRIORITY: 4 HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD SECURITY

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GOAL: To increase consumption of healthy food in Kingston.OBJECTIVES:

4.1 To promote the availability of affordable, accessible and healthy foods in Kingston.

4.2 To encourage people in Kingston to consume the recommended daily intake of two fruit and five vegetables.

4.3 To encourage a decrease in the consumption of sweet drinks and unhealthy food.

PRIORITY: 5 SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTHGOAL: To improve the conditions in which people live and work that impact on health.OBJECTIVES:

5.1 To promote employment opportunities for people experiencing disadvantage, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

5.2 To advocate for affordable housing in Kingston.

5.3 To promote access to public transport and local amenities for people of all abilities.

5.4 To increase awareness of the impact a changing climate has on health and wellbeing.

5.5 To minimise the negative impacts of problem gambling on the Kingston community.

COMMITMENTS:• To contribute to building strong and effective partnerships with service providers in the health sector to deliver positive health outcomes for the community.

• To increase the availability of public health information in the local community.

• To strengthen partnerships across Council and build the capacity of all departments to integrate health and wellbeing into work practices.

• To implement health promotion strategies in a variety of settings.

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1. Introduction

Council identifies through the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 how it can contribute to the health and wellbeing of those who live, work and participate in the life of the city.

The Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (PHWP) is a legislative requirement under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008) that requires all Councils to develop a four year PHWP within one year of Council elections.

‘Health’ is defined by the World Health Organisation as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental human rights without distinction of race, religion, political belief or economic or social condition.

‘Wellbeing’ is the state of being well, contented and satisfied with life. Wellbeing has several components, including physical, mental, social and spiritual. Wellbeing can be used in a collective sense to describe how well a society satisfies people’s wants and needs.

The PHWP has been developed in partnership with the community and local organisations and is informed by the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015. The plan provides Kingston with a set of strategic directions to guide public health action for the period 2013–2017.

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2. Planning and Policy Context

Many organisations and individuals contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the Kingston community.

As a local government, Kingston Council is well placed to contribute to a healthier community by:

• facilitating and coordinating responses to key health and wellbeing issues;

• leading by example and working within the organisation to ensure the Council as a whole is taking action to improve community health and wellbeing;

• developing partnerships with relevant organisations to address health and wellbeing, and community safety issues;

• educating the community to improve health and wellbeing outcomes;

• promoting health and wellbeing messages;

• analysing data related to health status and health determinants; and

• advocating to the community, key organisations or other levels of government for changes that will improve health and wellbeing in Kingston.

THE ENVIRONMENTS FOR HEALTH FRAMEWORK

The Environments for Health Framework is a conceptual framework that underpins a systems approach to public health planning. It is based on the understanding that health and wellbeing are affected by factors originating across any or all of four environmental dimensions of the built, natural, economic and social environments. Council implements a range of strategies and plans across these four environments for health that impact on community health and wellbeing.

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INTEGRATED PLANNING APPROACH

Council is committed to an integrated planning approach to health and wellbeing, to maximize health resources and avoid duplication to get the best outcomes for the community. Kingston Bayside Primary Care Partnership, Kingston Council, Bayside City Council, Central Bayside Community Health Services and Bentleigh Bayside Community Health have worked together to develop cohesive strategic priorities in their organisations’ health and wellbeing plans.

POLICY CONTEXT

International Initiatives

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

The first International Conference on Health Promotion meeting in Ottawa in November 1986 presented a charter for action to achieve Health for All by the year 2000 and beyond.

The five action areas for health promotion identified in the Charter include:

• Building Healthy Public Policy;

• Create supportive environments;

• Strengthening community action;

• Developing personal skills; and

• Re-orientating health care services toward prevention of illness and promotion of health.

National Initiatives

The National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs)

The NHPA initiative is Australia’s response to the World Health Organisation’s global strategy Health for All by the year 2000 and its subsequent revision. The NHPAs listed below are those areas chosen for focused attention because they contribute significantly to the burden of illness and injury in the Australian community.

• Cancer control (first set of conditions 1996);

• Cardiovascular health (1996);

• Injury Prevention and control (1996);

• Mental Health (1996);

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• Diabetes Mellitus (1997);

• Asthma (1999);

• Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (2002);

• Obesity (2008); and

• Dementia (2012).

National Mental Health Policy 2008

The Australian Government released the National Mental Health Policy 2008 in March 2009. The aims of the policy are to:

• promote mental health and wellbeing;

• prevent the development of mental health problems;

• reduce the impact of mental health problems;

• promote recovery; and

• protect the rights of people with mental health problems.

State Initiatives

The Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015

The first Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015 (the Plan) was developed to comply with the requirements of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. The Plan’s goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians by engaging communities in prevention, and by strengthening systems for health protection, health promotion and preventative health care across all sectors and levels of government.

The plan priority issues for promoting the health of Victorians are:

• Healthy eating;

• Physical activity;

• Tobacco control;

• Oral health;

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• Alcohol and other drug use;

• Sexual and reproductive health promotion;

• Mental health promotion;

• Injury prevention; and

• Skin Cancer prevention.

The PHWP 2013-2017 is guided by the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015 and will implement initiatives that will contribute to addressing the state priority issues.

The Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012–2022: Metropolitan Health Plan

The Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-2022 sets out seven priority areas for the development and operation of the Victorian health system for the future:

• Developing a system that is responsive to people’s needs;

• Improving every Victorian’s health status and health experiences;

• Expanding service, workforce and system capacity;

• Increasing the system’s financial sustainability and productivity;

• Implementing continuous improvements and innovation;

• Increasing accountability and transparency; and

• Utilising e-health and communications technology.

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3. Effective Public Health Action

A range of built, social, economic and natural environmental factors impact on the health of individuals and communities.

SOCIAL MODEL OF HEALTH

To improve health and wellbeing, the social model of health framework proposes action on social, environmental and economic factors that impact on health alongside biological and medical factors.

These factors can be direct, such as the impacts of cigarette smoking, or indirect such as the chain of events that can lead to poor health as a result of unemployment. Maximising individual and community health and wellbeing involves sustaining the health of the local economy, the natural and built environments and addressing a broad range of social issues and inequities.

APPROACHES TO PROMOTING HEALTH

There are a range of different approaches to improve health outcomes. Health promotion can occur at any point along a continuum, from those that focus on individuals and communities through to interventions that improve the health or living conditions of whole populations. In many instances a combination of approaches for the same health issue is effective.

At the individual (downstream) level, people may undergo screening for early signs of disease, such as breast screening, pap smears and blood pressure check-ups.

Strategies in the middle of the continuum focus on behaviours that are generally risk factors for disease for groups of people. Many public health campaigns aim to influence behaviours such as reducing smoking, increasing physical activity and healthy eating.

At the population (upstream) level, health promotion works to address the determinants (influences) of health which relate to the conditions under which we live. Within local government it means implementing actions that positively impact on the health of communities and populations generally; for example through the provision of walking and cycling paths, parks and playgrounds.

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4. Development of the Plan

Information from a range of sources was collated to inform the development of the plan in three phases.

RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

A benchmarking exercise was undertaken to review other local government Public Health and Wellbeing Plans and related strategies. International, national, state and local policy was also reviewed to gain an understanding of the current policy and political context.

Then, data relating to health and wellbeing was analysed to determine the prominent health and wellbeing issues that are impacting on the Kingston community.

Refer to Appendix 1 for health and wellbeing data that relates to each priority area of the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017. Health conditions and behaviour data is also provided in Appendix 1.

Community consultation was undertaken between November 2012 and January 2013. The consultation involved a telephone survey of 512 Kingston residents regarding health, wellbeing and community safety issues. A series of workshops with the community and key Council stakeholders was also conducted to identify and explore priority issues. Consultation for the Kingston visioning project “Living Kingston 2035” was also being undertaken at this time and information relating to health and wellbeing was incorporated into the development of this plan. In March 2013 stakeholder consultation involving Bayside City Council, Central Bayside and Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Services, Kingston Bayside Primary Care Partnership and Bayside Medicare Local health service providers was held to identify and explore health, wellbeing and safety issues.

All of this information was utilised to develop the PHWP and Action Plan 2013-2014 in consultation with Council departments and Kingston Bayside stakeholders.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION

Council will ensure the effective management and implementation of the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan through the development and implementation of annual action plans. The PHWP includes five priority areas each with a goal and objectives; and a range of actions to achieve the objectives. The PHWP Action Plan will be reviewed annually to ensure actions remain relevant and that the PHWP is achieving its objectives. The PHWP is a whole of Council plan with each department within Council taking responsibility for delivering actions relevant to their area of expertise. A summary of what the PHWP has achieved each year will be published on the City of Kingston website. An evaluation of the PHWP will be conducted in the final year of implementation, and will be reported to Council and the community in 2017.

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5. Action Plan 2013-2014

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS

TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND BUILD CAPACITY TO UNDERTAKE HEALTH PROMOTION INITIATIVES

Kingston Council has a significant role to play in the leadership and coordination of public health initiatives. As public health is a broad concept, encompassing many aspects of community life, the development and maintenance of strong partnerships within Council and with external stakeholders is a key priority for maximising effort to address health and wellbeing initiatives within the municipality.

The Public Health Leadership and Partnership commitments will be achieved by the implementation of actions under the five priority areas of the plan.

COMMITMENTS

• To contribute to building strong and effective partnerships with service providers in the health sector to deliver positive health outcomes for the community.

• To increase the availability of public health information in the local community.

• To strengthen partnerships across Council and build the capacity of all departments to integrate health and wellbeing into work practices.

• To implement health promotion strategies in a variety of settings.

PRIORITY AREA 1

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND A HEALTHY URBAN ENVIRONMENT

GOAL 1

TO INCREASE LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN KINGSTON

Regular physical activity promotes quality of life and a sense of wellbeing. Keeping physically activity also helps protect against heart disease and stroke, certain cancers, the risk of type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety, weight gain and improves sleep.

Good design of our urban environment and infrastructure can impact positively on our health. For example, the provision of paths to walk and cycle encourages physical activity. The urban environment can provide protection from extreme weather, opportunities to gather and socialise and access to fresh drinking water, soil, and air.

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1.1 To promote opportunities for people to be active in Kingston.

1.1.1 Provide and promote flexible public open spaces in a variety of settings through implementation of the Open Space Strategy 2012

1.1.2 Create and maintain a range of Council recreational facilities that are accessible and functional for all members of the community.

1.1.3 Deliver the Good Living Project physical activity programs to seniors and people who are at risk of a chronic disease.

1.1.4 Investigate the feasibility of implementing the Play Streets program in Kingston and other similar initiatives.

1.1.5 Continue to support and deliver Heart Foundation walking groups in Kingston.

1.1.6 Promote and deliver physical activity initiatives that reduce the risk of chronic disease including cancer and diabetes.

1.2 To enhance the built environment and enable people to be physically active.

1.2.1 Explore opportunities to utilise the Healthy by Design principles and checklist to inform the design of public spaces owned by Council, other authorities and private industry.

1.2.2 Develop infrastructure in public spaces that supports incidental activity, such as interactive art and play spaces.

1.2.3 Develop a Kingston Shade Policy that complies with the Cancer Council recommendations.

PRIORITY AREA 2

SOCIALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

GOAL 2

TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN KINGSTON WHO FEEL MENTALLY WELL AND CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY

Our social connections comprise people we know; the friends we confide in, the family we belong to and the community we live in. The need to belong, be connected and engaged in group and civic activities are intrinsic to good mental health and wellbeing.

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Mental health is fundamental to physical health, productivity in the workplace, school and family, and our overall quality of life. Mental health provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, achieving goals and interacting with one another respectfully.

Activities that focus on enhancing social connection and participation include:

• Supportive social networks;

• Family, friends and community groups; and

• Civic engagement through community groups; for example a member of a church, a volunteer, or belonging to a service club; and professional or other associations.

2.1 To promote mental wellbeing and participation in community life.

2.1.1 Promote volunteering with Emergency Services and other health and wellbeing organisations to the local community.

2.1.2 Fostering and supporting community driven initiatives.

2.1.3 Promote and support the extensive health and wellbeing activities of Kingston Community Centres and Neighbourhood Houses.

2.1.4 Support mental health and wellbeing through the delivery of Kind 2 Mind initiatives.

2.1.5 Continue to develop and deliver programs for active and passive arts-based programs that provide physical, mental, personal, social and educational benefits for people of all ages and abilities.

2.1.6 Implement intergenerational projects in partnership with the Youth Consultative Committee (YCC) and the Positive Ageing Committee.

2.1.7 Provide and support social inclusion programs for eligible Home and Community Care (HACC) and Hostel clients.

2.1.8 Deliver the Active Service Model and support HACC clients in managing their own care.

2.1.9 Promote gender equity, equality and respectful relationships in community settings through the implementation of health and wellbeing initiatives.

2.2 To improve the health literacy of the community to support people to improve their health.

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2.2.1 Provide health and wellbeing information to the community via a range of media including factsheets, newsletters, and social media.

2.2.2 Deliver and promote the Act Belong Commit Mental Health Promotion Campaign.

PRIORITY AREA 3

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG HARM

GOAL 3

TO REDUCE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG HARM ON THE COMMUNITYTobacco and alcohol and other drug misuse can have a significant negative influence within the community. Smoking is one of the major causes of death and disease. The consequences of drug and alcohol abuse are extensive and multileveled, ranging from issues that affect individuals and families, to issues that affect the wider community. Local governments undertake initiatives that prevent the uptake of smoking, and address the misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

3.1 To contribute to the reduction in the prevalence of smoking in Kingston.3.1.1 Promote the Quit campaign to the community.

3.1.2 Review Council’s policies on smoking around Council buildings.

3.1.3 Explore the feasibility of introducing a Council outdoor smoking policy.

3.1.4 Refer clients to alcohol consumption education programs, and to quit smoking programs under the Maternal Child Health Framework.

3.2 To contribute to the reduction of the harms caused by alcohol and drug misuse in the community.

3.2.1. Promote and encourage local sporting clubs to participate in the ‘Good Sports’ program.

3.2.2 Provide two ‘Responsible Service of Alcohol’ courses for sports club volunteers.

3.2.3 Support Chelsea Community Support Service and Emerge to deliver an alcohol and other drug support service in Chelsea.

3.2.4 Explore opportunities to reduce the availability of packaged liquor in the community.

3.2.5 Monitor local alcohol and other drugs issues in partnership with the police and develop partnerships to respond to identified issues.

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3.2.6 Provide information to the local community regarding the dangers associated with the misuse of prescription medication.

3.2.7 Promote safe consumption of alcohol campaigns in the community.

PRIORITY AREA 4

HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD SECURITY

GOAL 4

TO INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF HEALTHY FOOD IN KINGSTON

Healthy eating is essential to the maintenance and protection of physical and mental health. Poor diet can lead to ill health and disease including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

To ensure healthy eating everyone in the community needs access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. People who are disadvantaged socially, economically or geographically have been shown to not have adequate access to affordable healthy food.

Individuals with income pressure are more likely to eat energy dense foods. By facilitating access to affordable, nutritious food that is culturally acceptable will assist in addressing the health issues linked to poor eating habits.

4.1 To promote the availability of affordable, accessible and healthy foods in Kingston.

4.1.1 Promote the provision of quality fresh food within Kingston via the Kingston Farmers market.

4.1.2 Deliver the ‘Good Living’ Project community kitchen and community garden programs.

4.1.3 Support and promote the development of community gardens at identified locations in Kingston.

4.1.4 Research and monitor residents’ access to affordable healthy fresh food and fast food outlets.

4.2 To encourage people in Kingston to consume the recommended daily intake of two fruit and five vegetables.

4.2.1 Promote growing your own food through educational workshops ‘Greening our Place, Greening Kingston’.

4.2.2 Promote community gardens to the manufacturing industry in Kingston through the 17

Kingston Business Newsletter.

4.2.3 Support and encourage the participation of early childhood services, schools and workplaces in the Victorian Prevention and Health Promotion Achievement Program.

4.3 To encourage a decrease in the consumption of sweet drinks and unhealthy food.

4.3.1 Promote water consumption at all Council run events.

4.3.2 Include healthy fresh food options at all catered Council events, programs and activities.

4.3.3 Conduct an audit of drinking fountains and promote the availability of drinking fountains in public open spaces.

PRIORITY AREA 5

SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH

GOAL 5

TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK THAT IMPACT ON HEALTHHealth is influenced by the social conditions in which people live and work. These conditions can either support or be detrimental to health and include the conditions of daily life such as social cohesion, income, employment, secure housing and participation in community life. Evidence has demonstrated that every step up the socioeconomic ladder is associated with better health outcomes. Facilitating healthy living and working conditions will improve the health of the community.

5.1 To promote employment opportunities for people experiencing disadvantage, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

5.1.1 Facilitate pathways to employment via the provision of job fairs, work experience opportunities and apprenticeships.

5.1.2 Continue to facilitate the ‘Mentor Partners’ program utilising volunteer mentors to support local small businesses.

5.2 To advocate for affordable housing in Kingston.

5.2.1 Investigate affordable housing issues and opportunities.

5.2.2 Research the relationship between different housing types and health and wellbeing.

5.3 To promote access to public transport and local amenities for people of all abilities.

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5.3.1 Investigate local transport issues and develop an integrated transport strategy.

5.3.2 Progressively implement ‘Wayfinding’ signage on our cycling and walking trails to encourage people to walk and cycle.

5.3.3 Review and redevelop the Cycling and Walking Plan 2009-2013.

5.4 To increase awareness of the impact a changing climate has on health and wellbeing.5.4.1 Deliver Our Place Program educating the community to live and work more sustainably.

5.4.2 Implement and evaluate Council’s Heatwave Strategy.

5.5 To minimise the negative impacts of problem gambling on the Kingston community.

5.5.1 Respond to problem gambling through the implementation of public health and wellbeing initiatives targeted to problem gamblers.

5.5.2 Implement the Gaming Policy - Electronic Gaming Machines

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APPENDIX 1: HEALTH AND WELLBEING DATA PROFILE

THE CITY OF KINGSTON – A BRIEF DESCRIPTION 1

The City of Kingston is one of the largest and most diverse municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne. It includes residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural areas that feature major parks, gardens, conservation areas and 13km of coastline. Residents live in just over 55,000 households, were born in over 150 countries and speak over 120 languages. In 2013 the population is estimated to be 149,772, and it is anticipated that it will reach 167,044 by 2031.

AGE GROUPS

• People aged between 35-49 years old make up the largest age group in Kingston (23%).

• Kingston’s older residents make up the fastest growing population group. The number of people aged over 70 will increase by 28% in the coming years, from 16,683 in 2011 to 23,030 in 2031; whereas children aged under 12 will increase by 9% from 20,410 (2011) to 22,437 (2031).

PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY

• A small proportion (4.7%) of Kingston residents need help in their day-to-day lives due to disability. This is similar to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.5%.

• Of people aged 0 to 64 years, 2% live with a profound or severe disability, compared to 18.4% of people aged 65 years or over.

CULTURE

• Nearly one third (30%) of Kingston residents were born overseas and 22% of these were born in a non-English speaking country.

• The top five countries of origin are the UK, India, Greece, China and New Zealand.

• Approximately 26% of people in Kingston speak a language other than English at home. The top 5 languages other than English spoken at home are Greek, Mandarin, Italian, Cantonese and Russian.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING PRIORITY AREAS AND RISK FACTORS

While Kingston generally ranks average or above-average when compared to Victoria as a whole on most health indicators, Kingston residents perceive their wellbeing less favourably than the Victorian average, ranking it 75.4 out of 100 compared to 77.5 out of 100 for Victoria.

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PRIORITY 1:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND A HEALTHY URBAN ENVIRONMENT

• Just over two thirds (69.3%) of residents rated themselves as physically active in 2011/12, doing sufficient time (150 minutes) and sessions (five or more) of exercise per week, which is similar to the Victorian average of 6.9%.

• In 2010 Kingston females were meeting the exercise guidelines at a similar rate to the Victorian average (57.7% vs. 57.1%), while males were slightly more active (64% vs. 61.2%).

• One-third of Kingston residents are concerned about their sedentary behaviour of sitting more than or equal to 7 hours per day. This is equal to the Victorian average of 32.6%.

PRIORITY 2:

SOCIALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

• Most residents feel a part of their community (70.8%) . This is slightly less than the Victorian average of 72.3%.

• Nearly two thirds (60.8%) of residents feel a strong sense of belonging to a community and even more (78.9%) agreed that they were able to turn to neighbours for help in times of need.

• Almost half (46.3%) of residents are active members of a club or group and nearly one third (30.5%) volunteer regularly.

• In a 2012 telephone survey of Kingston residents the overwhelming majority of respondents (89.8%) rated their mental health as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, 8.4% rated it as ‘average’, and only 1.8% rated it as either ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

PRIORITY 3:

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG HARM

ALCOHOL

• Over one third (36.4%) of respondents had purchased alcohol in the last week, which is comparable to Victoria (36.3%).

• The average amount spent on packaged liquor in the last week in Kingston was $37, which is less than the Victorian average of $45.

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• A large proportion of the telephone survey respondents (81.3%) disagree and a small percentage agree (12.6%) with the statement ‘alcohol consumption has a negative impact on my household’.

SMOKING

• In 2011/12, 15.6% of Kingston’s population were current smokers, similar to the Victorian average of 15.7%.

• 22% of telephone survey participants agreed to being exposed to smoky environments at least once per week.

ILLEGAL DRUGS

• The increase in drug offences in Kingston from 2010/11 to 2011/12 was 9.6%, which was significantly lower than the state increase of 22.8%.

• Over one tenth of households experience negative social and health impacts of illegal drugs; (13.1% of respondents agreed and 84.2% disagreed to ‘illegal drugs have a negative impact on my household’).

PRIORITY 4: HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD SECURITY

• The current Australian guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption are five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day. In Kingston in 2008, 42.1% of all residents (37% of females and 48% of males) did not meet these guidelines. This was lower than the Victorian measures of 48.2%, 41.9% and 54.8% respectively. This rating for Kingston’s general population increased to 48.5% for Kingston in 2011/12.

• The majority of Kingston residents have access to fresh and affordable food to meet their household’s needs.

• 61.6% of Kingston residents who shared a meal with their family greater than or equal to 5 days per week, compared to the Victorian average of 66.3%.

PRIORITY 5:

SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH

HOUSEHOLDS AND INCOME

• One third of households in Kingston are made up of couples with children, half are couples who don’t have children and people living alone, and 10% of households are one

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parent families.

• 51% of households in Kingston earn middle level incomes ($600 - $2,499 per week), 20% earn low incomes ($0 - $599 per week) and 18% earn high incomes ($2,500+ per week).

• Kingston’s unemployment rate of 6.9% is higher than the metropolitan Melbourne rate of 5.4%.

HOUSING

• Separate houses account for the majority of housing in Kingston (66%) and medium density housing (32%) form most of the housing stock. High density housing accounts for a very small proportion of housing in Kingston (1.2%).

• Most households (71%) are purchasing or own their own home, and 23% of households are renting.

• The number of households experiencing mortgage stress is 9.4% and rental stress is 24.6%. These levels of stress are slightly lower than those for Victoria (11.4% and 25.1% respectively).

• Kingston has a very low level of affordable rental housing (2.1%) compared to Victoria (20.7%), and a higher median house price of $557,000 compared to $380,000.

DISADVANTAGE

Kingston is a moderately advantaged municipality with pockets of disadvantage in the suburbs of Clarinda, Clayton South, Chelsea and Bonbeach. The Socio Economic Index for Area (SEIFA) map in Figure 8 below, shows the relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage rankings for geographic areas of Kingston.

Socio Economic index for Kingston

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HEALTH CONDITIONS AND DISEASES

The data for the following health conditions provides details about the prevalence of the National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs) in Kingston. The NHPA’s are diseases and conditions that the Australian government has selected for focused attention because they contribute significantly to the burden of illness and injury in the Australian community.

Health Condition Kingston Victoria CommentArthritis Arthritis per 100

people14.1 14.6 Kingston’s rates of

arthritis conditions are very similar to the Victorian and metropolitan Melbourne rates.

Arthritis per 100 people

1.6 1.9

Osteoarthritis per 100 people

8.4 8.7

Asthma Asthma per 100 people

8.8 9.1 Kingston has slightly lower or similar rates than the Victorian and metropolitan Melbourne rates for asthma, respiratory system diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Respiratory System Diseases per100 people

25.8 27.3

Chronic Obstructive PulmonaryDisease per 100 people

2.1 2.2

Cancer Persons per 100,000 6.0 5.1 Kingston rates slightly higher than the Victorian average for cancer incidence.

Females per 100,000 5.5 4.5Males per 100,000 6.4 5.7

Diabetes 2001 % of people with diabetes

1.7 2.0 Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease and is the sixth leading cause of death in Australia. The prevalence of diabetes more than doubled from 2001 to2011 in Kingston and across Victoria.

2011 % of people with diabetes

4.4 4.5

Dementia 2010 prevalence est. no. people

1,838(rank 9 by LGA)

65,669 The prevalence of dementia is expected to increase as the baby boomer generation enter their mid-sixties from2010-2011 onwards. Kingston’s prevalence is anticipated to grow at a lesser rate than across Victoria.

2050 prevalence est. no. people

5,103(rank 20 by LGA)

246,389

% change 178 275

Heart conditions Circulatory system diseases per 100 people

17.7 17.3 Heart disease is the leading cause of death for menand women in Australia. In 2007-08 Kingston’s rates for circulatory system and hypertensive diseases were close to but slightly higher

Hypertensive disease per 100 people

10.6 9.2

High cholesterol per 100 people

5.4 5.4

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than the Victorian averages.

Injury Intentional per 1,000 population

2.8 3.8 In 2010 injury was estimated to account for 6.5% of the total burden of disease. Kingston’s residents recorded lower rates of treatment in hospital for unintentional and intentional injuries than the Victorian average. However, ofthe unintentional injuries, Kingston had higher rates due to falls than the Victorian average.

Unintentional per 1,000 population

54.6 61.7

Percentage of unintentional injuries due to falls

43.5 37.6

Mental Health Registered clients with a mental health service per 1,000 people

8.1 10.3 Estimates from 2007 suggest that 7.3 million Australians (45% of the population aged 16–85) will experience a common mental disorder over their lifetime (such as anxiety, depression or a substance use disorder).

Preparation of mental health care

83.3 90.3

Obesity Overweight or obese 45.4 49.8 Nearly half of Kingston’s population is overweight or obese (45.4%). Males and females in Kingston experience slightly lower rates of body weight issues to the Victorian averages.

Males overweight and obese% of people

54.4 58

Females overweight and obese% of people

37.4 41.8

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How can you contribute to community health and wellbeing?

• Get Informed! Make sure you have all the relevant health and wellbeing information for yourself, your friends and your family.

• Act, Belong and Commit by being mentally and physically healthy. Act by going for a walk or reading a book. Belong by joining a club, community group or cooking class. Commit by helping a neighbour or volunteering.

• Join or establish a community group to improve health outcomes in the municipality, such as a residents’ association, adopt-a-park group, community garden or community kitchen group.

• Volunteer with an Emergency Service organisation or a support service.

For further information visit Kingston Council website kingston.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Care on 1300 653 356.

1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

PO Box 1000, Mentone, VIC 3194

1300 653 356

03 9581 4500 info@kingston.vic.gov.au

kingston.vic.gov.au

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